PG&E planning for another price hike

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- As the temperature goes down outside, people tend to raise the temperature inside. PG&E customers have seen their rates increase by 13 percent starting on Jan. 1, 2024.

However, their rates could see an increase once again. PG&E filed paperwork with regulators to raise rates another $14 a month for the average customer. If the paperwork is approved, those rates could take effect by March 2024.

"I have gas heater, so it's very expensive in the winter," said Donna Silva who lives in Monterey County.

PG&E increased their rates by nearly 13 percent at the start of this year.

With only two people in her household, Silva says she has to pay 400 dollars a month for her PG&E bill.

She's upset her earnings are going towards electric bills.

"It's frustrating to see your bill increase when your usage does not," said Silva." I track it month to month and they'll say, oh, I've done good this month because it's less my usage and It's less than last month, but my bill is higher."

PG&E raised prices in January to add over 1,200 miles of electric line undergrounding to help reduce wildfires.

Not only that, but the California Public Utilities Commission could approve another​ rate increase in March.

PG&E says this is to help recover costs from damage from last year's storm.

If approved PG&E says electric bills would go up another $14 in March, and adding that with the $32 increase from January, this totals about a $46 increase in less than a year.

"My husband pays bills, but he keeps telling us, uh, telling me sorry that I get to keep the heat down a little bit more," said Nori Bridges who lives in Monterey County.

These increases affect people like Bridges who no longer works.

"We are we're retired and my husband and I are 77 years old," Bridges said. "And it makes it hard for the older people because they are on fixed income."

On Tuesday, PG&E announced that they will be contributing $55 million toward their reach program for income-qualifying customers.

People who qualify will receive $1,000 which doubles the amount they have previously received.